Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.

Carbamazepine is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Carbamazepine is also used to treat bipolar disorder.

Carbamazepine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

This medication may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in people of Asian ancestry. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk of this skin reaction. Seek emergency medical attention if you have a fever, sore throat, headache and skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

You should not take carbamazepine if you have a history of bone marrow suppression, if you are also taking nefazodone, or if you are allergic to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Carbamazepine may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking carbamazepine for seizures. Do not start or stop taking carbamazepine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

Do not use carbamazepine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

Before you take carbamazepine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver or kidney disease, glaucoma, a thyroid disorder, lupus, porphyria, or a history of mental illness or psychosis.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

There are many other drugs that can interact with carbamazepine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Do not stop using carbamazepine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using carbamazepine suddenly.

Do not use carbamazepine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

You should not take carbamazepine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• a history of bone marrow suppression

• if you are also taking nefazodone; or

• if you are allergic to an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

This medication may cause severe or life-threatening skin rash, especially in people of Asian ancestry. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk of this skin reaction.

To make sure you can safely take carbamazepine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• liver or kidney disease;

• glaucoma;

• a thyroid disorder;

• lupus;

• porphyria; or

• a history of mental illness or psychosis.

Patients of Asian ancestry may have a higher risk of developing a rare but serious skin reaction to carbamazepine. Your doctor may recommend a blood test before you start the medication to determine your risk of this skin reaction.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Seizure control is very important during pregnancy. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by taking carbamazepine. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking carbamazepine while you are pregnant.

FDA pregnancy category D. Carbamazepine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not start taking carbamazepine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Use effective birth control while you are taking carbamazepine.

Although carbamazepine may harm an unborn baby, having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. If you become pregnant while taking carbamazepine, do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.

Carbamazepine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking carbamazepine.